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Hammond Wants To Show Crash

Top Gear star begs BBC to show 280mph car crash

Last updated at 11:43am on 26th September 2006

With Top Gear facing the axe, injured presenter Richard Hammond has begged the BBC to show the 280mph car crash that almost killed him.
In a bid to save the motoring show, the 36-year-old is also prepared to appear on television live from his hospital bed as BBC bosses have said they will only screen the new series if Hammond is well enough to appear on it.
Hammond, who suffered a serious brain injury after his jet-powered dragster crashed, is desperate to get in front of a camera as he is worried the programme will be cancelled before he has had a chance to recover from his injuries.
A friend of the presenter, told the Daily Star: "Richard could not stand to feel he was to blame for the demise of the show he loves.
"He's fuming they've postponed the next series because he fears that's the first step towards the BBC pulling the plug permanently. He's terrified they're going to axe it while he's stuck in hospital.
"He'll do anything to keep Top Gear going, even if it means broadcasting from his hospital bed. It would be an emotional broadcast for everyone involved and a ratings winner."
Hammond, affectionately nicknamed the Hamster, has been angered by rumours that Top Gear's future is in doubt as the new series which was due to be aired on October 8 has been postponed indefinitely.
Now out of intensive care at Leeds General Infirmary the presenter has amazed doctors with his fast recovery as only last week his life hanged in the balance.
Reunited with his two daughters Isabella, five, and Willow, two, he is now walking, talking and eating.
Producer Andy Wilman has threatened to quit the show if the BBC try to tone down the show's emphasis on speed and stunts.
While co-presenter Jeremy Clarkson, 46, said: "Swarms of bureaucratic bluebottles are nibbling away at the crash site on York airfield desperately trying to find some reason why Top Gear should be banished from our screens."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=407022&in_page_id=1773

posted by Steve @ Wednesday, September 27, 2006